Chief Magistrate recuses self from Winston Jordan case 
Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan
Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

RECOGNISING an “apparent bias”, Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, on Friday, recused herself from presiding over the trial of former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, who is accused of misconduct in public office.

The Chief Magistrate made this announcement during a case hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Jordan is currently on $3 million bail.

The former Finance Minister is represented by fellow coalition party members, attorneys-at-law, Roysdale Forde S.C., Khemraj Ramjattan, Joseph Harmon, and Darren Wade. Dawn Cush is also part of his legal team.

Previously, Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy, requested the accused be tried summarily in the Magistrates’ Court.

However, Jordan’s lawyers raised strong objections, emphasising their preference for a trial by jury in the High Court.

If this were to happen, the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court would be the subject of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Once the magistrate finds that a case has been made, it would then be referred to High Court for trial by a judge and jury.

Friday’s hearing was intended to be for submissions from Jordan’s lawyers. The Chief Magistrate informed the court that Cush previously served as a Magistrate in Guyana, noting that in the interest of justice, she will recuse herself of her own volition citing “apparent bias”.

Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan

The Chief Magistrate transferred the matter to Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. It will be heard on May 12.

Jordan’s attorneys are expected to make their argument again requesting a High Court trial.

Winston Jordan first appeared in court to respond to this matter on December 28, 2021. He was not required to plead the charge.

It was alleged then that while he served as Finance Minister under the APNU+AFC coalition government, Jordan wilfully misconducted himself by acting recklessly when he signed NICIL (Transfer of Property) Order, No. 50 of 2020.

NICIL, the government’s privatisation unit, fell under Jordan’s ministerial portfolio.

The substantive matter was Jordan’s transferring to and vesting to BK Marine Inc., all buildings, erections, stellings, platforms and further appurtenances, at Mud Lots One and Two, F of Mud Lot Three, A, B & D, being over 2.553 acres.

In that transaction, it was reported that $20,260,276 was paid for a property initially valued at over $5,000,000,000. The selling price was reportedly grossly below the actual value of the assets sold.

This, the court heard from prosecution, amounted to an abuse of the public’s trust without reasonable excuse or justification.

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